Cotton Fields
The Beach Boys Lyrics


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When I was a little bitty baby
My mama done rock me in the cradle
In them old cotton fields back home
It was back in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home

Let me tell you now well got me in a fix
I caught a nail in my tire doing lickitey splits
I had to walk a long long way to town
Came along a nice old man well he had a hat on
Wait a minute mister can you give me some directions
I gonna want to be right off for home

When I was a little bitty baby
My mama done rock me in the cradle
In them old cotton fields back home
It was back in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home

Don't care if them cotton balls get rotten
When I got you baby, who needs cotton
In them old cotton fields back home
Brother only one thing more that's gonna warm you
A summer's day out in California
It's gonna be those cotton fields back home

It was back in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
Give me them cotton fields
(it was back in Louisiana)
Let me hear it for the cotton fields
(just about a mile from Texarkana)
You know that there's just no place like home

Well boy it sure feels good to breathe the air back home




You shoulda seen their faces when they seen how I grown
In them old cotton fields back home

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys’ song Cotton Fields is a classic tribute to the rural American lifestyle and the hardships of living in a cotton field region. The song features a repetitive melody that highlights the monotony of life in the fields, while the lyrics paint a vivid picture of childhood memories and the difficulties of living in a rural area. The song starts with the lead singer reminiscing about his childhood, where his mother used to rock him in the cradle in the old cotton fields. The song then moves onto a tale of a flat tire, and a man he meets along the way who helps him with directions back home.


The chorus of the song – “Don't care if them cotton balls get rotten, When I got you baby, who needs cotton, In them old cotton fields back home” – emphasizes the idea that the most important thing in life is not materialistic wealth or possessions but the love and the people that surround oneself. The final verse returns to the original theme – of the beauty of living in a rural area and the joy of coming back home.


The song's lyrics were written by Blues musician Lead Belly (Huddie William Ledbetter), and The Beach Boys recorded their rendition of the song in 1968. The song was included in their 1969 album '20/20'. The song was later featured on their posthumous 2012 album 'That's Why God Made The Radio'. 


Line by Line Meaning

When I was a little bitty baby
As a newborn, I was taken care of by my mother


My mama done rock me in the cradle
My mother comforted me by rocking my cradle


In them old cotton fields back home
The familiar and nostalgic cotton fields from my hometown


It was back in Louisiana
The cotton fields were located in Louisiana


Just about a mile from Texarkana
They were located approximately one mile away from Texarkana


Let me tell you now well got me in a fix
I encountered a problem


I caught a nail in my tire doing lickitey splits
My tire was punctured while driving fast


I had to walk a long long way to town
I had to walk a great distance to reach town


Came along a nice old man well he had a hat on
I met a friendly old man who was wearing a hat


Wait a minute mister can you give me some directions
I asked the old man for directions


I gonna want to be right off for home
I wanted to return home as soon as possible


Don't care if them cotton balls get rotten
I am indifferent to the state of the cotton crops


When I got you baby, who needs cotton
I do not need cotton because I have you, my significant other


Brother only one thing more that's gonna warm you
There is only one thing that will bring you warmth


A summer's day out in California
A sunny day spent in California


It's gonna be those cotton fields back home
Nothing can compare to the familiarity of the cotton fields in my hometown


Give me them cotton fields
I desire the cotton fields from my hometown


(it was back in Louisiana)
They were located in Louisiana


Let me hear it for the cotton fields
I want to appreciate and celebrate the cotton fields


(just about a mile from Texarkana)
They were located close to Texarkana


You know that there's just no place like home
There is no place as comfortable and familiar as home


Well boy it sure feels good to breathe the air back home
It is a satisfying feeling to be back in my hometown


You shoulda seen their faces when they seen how I grown
People were surprised by how much I have grown since leaving my hometown


In them old cotton fields back home
I find comfort in the familiar cotton fields from my hometown




Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: Huddie Ledbetter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@RobertDinTulsa

When I was a little bitty baby
My mama done rock me in the cradle
In them old cotton fields back home
It was back in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home


Let me tell you now well got me in a fix
I caught a nail in my tire doing lickitey splits
I had to walk a long long way to town
Came upon a nice old man well he had a hat on
Wait a minute mister can you give me some directions
I gonna want to be right off for home


Don't care if them cotton balls get rotten
When I got you baby, who needs cotton
In them old cotton fields back home
Brother only one thing more that's gonna warm you
A summer's day out in California
It's gonna be those cotton fields back home


It was back in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkana
Give me them cotton fields
(it was back in Louisiana)
Let me hear it for the cotton fields
(just about a mile from Texarkana )
You know that there's just no place like home


Well boy it sure feels good to breathe the air back home
You should a seen their faces when they seen how I grown
In them old cotton fields back home



All comments from YouTube:

@odog5183

I've always loved the beach boys. Been listening to them since I was just a kid. My grandmother gave me a 45 record of this song and it still gives me chills - great song and warm memories in all

@johnbarthram2761

Beach boys are up there with the best, the contribution they have made to music is fantastic, they stand tall against any other major band.

@grahamleadbeatter5981

They would have been in the top ten in terms of overall record sales if it hadn't been for Dennis, Carl and Brian's old man.

@IBECOOL44

Want to explain that?

@carlrudd1858

UP there with the best? How about THE BEST.

@rocknrallsoul94rockero4

@@carlrudd1858 Beatles?

@DetectiveColePhelps

@@rocknrallsoul94rockero4 Nah

16 More Replies...

@dartemion

Maravillosa canción, una de mis favoritas de esta gran banda.

@rexchasingrc4210

Fabulous cover by the Beach Boys, infusing this classic with their own style.

@margaretwilliams3900

It’s the harmonies that give me goose bumps and transport me to happier times

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